Department for Transport

Airports Commission

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated cost to his Department has been of evaluating the Airports Commission's Final Report since 1 July 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We do not hold estimates of the cost of reviewing the findings and conclusions of the Airport Commission’s report.

M54

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will discuss with the Highways Agency the time taken to (a) programme and (b) complete highway works on the M54 in Shropshire.

Andrew Jones: (a) With regard to current and future works on the M54 in Shropshire, there are currently no delays to the programme of works for the current financial year, 2015/16.(b) For the forthcoming financial year, 2016/17, Highways England is in the process of finalising the programme of works. This will be completed by the middle of February. The proposed works are:SchemeNature of workM54 WB J3 Exit Slip ResurfacingPavementM54 J7-6 Fence & BarrierFences and BarriersM54 J2-M6 J10A WBPavementM54 J10a-J1 DrainageDrainageM54-M6 J10a-J1 WB DrainageDrainageM54-M6 J10a-J1 EB DrainageDrainageM54 J4 Traffic Signals RefurbishmentTraffic SignalsThere have recently been problems with the concrete carriageway on the eastbound side of the M54 between junctions 3 and 2. Highways England has carried out a significant number of temporary repairs and is likely to undertake some more substantial repairs by the end of April 2016, whilst we investigate a longer term solution.

Motorways: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will have discussions with the Highways Agency on (a) improving arrangements to clear litter and flytipping on the M67 and M60 around the Denton Interchange and (b) repairing defective lighting columns along the M67 and M60 around the River Tome.

Andrew Jones: My Department will liaise with Highways England in relation to its arrangements for clearing litter and flytipped rubbish from the M60 and M67 Motorways in the vicinity of, and at, the intersection. The discussions will also include the condition of the lighting along the M67 and the M60 near the River Tome. I would expect that Highways England officials write to you directly to ensure that this matter can be dealt with as soon as possible.

Level Crossings

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment Network Rail has made of the costs and benefits of replacing level crossings with bridges on its England network.

Claire Perry: This is an operational matter for Network Rail who have a policy of actively pursuing closure of level crossings at every opportunity.The company has already closed nearly 1,000 level crossings since 2009 but, since the circumstances at each level crossing are unique, there are no firm rules about closure. Risk assessments are instead undertaken at every site which informs the identification and implementation of further risk controls.The United Kingdom already has the best level crossing safety record in Europe but we are supporting Network Rail through a ring-fenced fund to ensure that risks can be reduced even further.

Electric Vehicles

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that the manufacturers of electric and hybrid cars which utilise charging points adopt a common charging connection for all such vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones: Industry has been slow to deliver pan-European standardisation on chargepoint connectors with different vehicle manufacturers advocating their own preferred standards. However there are signs that this is now changing. The recent EU Directive 2014/94/EU on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure will standardise provision of connectors for rapid chargepoints across Europe. In the UK we have already sought to address this by requiring that all government funded rapid chargepoints must work with all available types of ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV). All Government-funded slower chargepoints must also have a Type 2 inlet on them – no other sockets are permitted. This position is supported by the vehicle manufacturers, all of whom agree that Type 2 is the most appropriate standard for public charging in the UK.

Heathrow Airport

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Secretary of State has made of the potential effects of a third runway at Heathrow Airport on the UK's ability to meet pollution targets set at COP21.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Any decision regarding future airport capacity will take into account the Government’s obligations under the 2008 Climate Change Act.The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has responsibility for addressing emissions from international aviation, rather than the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which held COP21. We are working hard through ICAO to try to secure agreement on a global market-based measure to address international aviation emissions.For domestic aviation, which is covered by UNFCCC, emissions are already accounted for under the UK's Carbon Budgets with the aim of ensuring overall UK emissions are less than 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) budget for and (b) expenditure on in-service emissions testing was for the (i) Vehicle Certification Agency and (ii) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in each of the last 10 years.

Andrew Jones: The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) in-service emissions budget is in the table below:BudgetExpenditure2006 / 2007Not availableNot available2007 / 2008Not available£170k2008 / 2009Not available£205k2009 / 2010£200K£200K2010 / 2011£200K£200K2011 /2012*£0£02012 /2013£40K£40K2013 /2014£50K£29.5K2014 / 2015£150K£42.3K2015 / 2016£123.2K*** Following the work in 2010-2011, the focus of emissions testing changed to consider aftermarket alteration of vehicles, both light and heavy duty.** Ongoing £96K anticipated.The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not hold a budget for in-service emissions testing and it does not have expenditure for in service emissions testing.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vehicles (a) underwent and (b) failed in-service emissions tests conducted by the (i) Vehicle Certification Agency and (ii) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in each of the last 10 years.

Andrew Jones: The figures below show how many vehicles and models the VCA has tested for in-service emissions and those that failed those in-service emissions tests.(a) Number of vehicles tested (figures in brackets are the number of models tested)(b) Number of vehicles failed-in service emissions (figures in brackets are the number of model failures)2005 / 200638 (13)18 (1)2006 / 200735 (8)17 (0)2007 / 200835 (10)7 (0)2008 / 200945 (10)21 (1)2009 / 201044 (10)17 (0)2010 / 201130 (10)7 (0)Overall from 2005/06 to 2010/11, 227 individual tests were completed (76 Petrol, 151 Diesel) and 87 vehicles failed to achieve a pass for all pollutants (14 Petrol, 73 Diesel).However, it should be noted that the pass / fail criteria involved a statistical process looking at the average of the vehicle tests carried out. This generally involved a minimum of 3 tests, but any individual failures resulted in more vehicles being tested. Using this process, there were 2 Model Failures (1 Petrol and 1 Diesel).Following the work in 2010-2011, the focus of the VCA’s emissions testing changed to consider aftermarket alteration of vehicles, both light and heavy duty.The figures below show how many vehicles the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has tested and those that failed in-service emissions tests. In-service emissions testing is interpreted to refer to emissions testing through the MOT service. DVSA does not hold figures for 2005/06.Car and light Goods vehicles up to 3000kg - DVSAFinancial YearTests Emission Failures 2006/0726,299,000771,6962007/0824,912,548809,4982008/0925,537,682791,8182009/1026,047,520766,3712010/1126,637,490734,2462011/1226,827,367710,8772012/1326,872,425656,2792013/1427,481,013641,4772014/1527,669,148607,400Light goods vehicles between 3000 up to 3500kg - DVSAFinancial YearTests Emission Failures 2006/07522,87511,9022007/08520,68211,3292008/09541,30710,4152009/10563,8299,4242010/11602,0808,7022011/12608,1448,9652012/13587,7797,7312013/14601,9428,0042014/15616,1268,308

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the use of in-service emissions testing to ensure compliance with vehicle type approval emissions standards.

Andrew Jones: The annual periodic inspection (MOT test) is an effective means that ensures vehicles are well maintained, safe and have no serious defects that cause high emissions or excessive noise. Due to the large number of MOT stations across the UK and approximately 30 million vehicles being tested each year, the test must be straightforward, use equipment that is readily available in garages and be cost effective for motorists.Ensuring compliance with type approval standards would require expensive laboratory-type instruments at MOT stations and increases in the time taken for the test that would inevitably raise the cost for motorists.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Private Rented Housing: Poverty

Phil Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the implications for his polices of the conclusion of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report, entitled Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion 2015, that the number of people living in poverty who depend on housing in the private rented sector has doubled in the last decade.

Brandon Lewis: No such assessment has been made. The Government believes that the key to improving affordability is to build more homes. We have several initiatives to improve affordability, including a £10 billion debt guarantee scheme to support the delivery of new homes purpose built for private rent, up to 30,000 additional affordable homes and the delivery of 200,000 Starter Homes at a minimum 20% discount for young first time buyers through the planning system.In addition to existing powers already in place, measures being taken forward through the Housing and Planning Bill will give councils stronger powers and incentives to tackle rogue landlords, to prevent those members of society in most need of affordable housing from becoming victims of poor quality and unsafe accommodation.

Housing: Construction

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many applications to buy publicly owned land for residential development were made in each year since 2009.

Brandon Lewis: The Department does not hold information on the number of applications to buy publicly owned land, nor is there a single place where developers ‘apply’ to purchase land.As part of the Public Sector Land programme up to March 2015, 942 sites owned by central Government and its agencies were sold with capacity for 109,000 homes.The Government property finder tool on GOV.UK lists government property for sale and rent as well as information on the Government estate.The Government is committed to releasing more of its land for housing, with an ambition to release surplus land for at least 160,000 homes by 2020. We have also introduced the Right to Contest which allows the public to identify sites which are surplus and could be put to better economic use, including housing.

Housing: Greater London

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of what the proportion of London residential property is owned by foreign nationals of which countries.

Brandon Lewis: The Bank of England estimates that foreign buyers represent 3% of total residential property transactions in London (Page 24 of November 2013 Financial Stabilty Report - http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Documents/fsr/2013/fsrfull1311.pdf ).

Housing Estates

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release of 10 January 2016 entitled, Prime Minister pledges to transform sink estates, if he will make an assessment of the value of house prices on those estates planned for removal or regeneration.

Brandon Lewis: The new Estate Regeneration Advisory Panel will be starting its work shortly, and will be seeking representations from as many estates as possible. The Panel will evaluate the potential for the regeneration of particular estates over the coming months, and will report by this year’s Autumn Statement. Any estates proposed for regeneration will need to take into account the value of properties and development viability considerations.

House of Commons Commission

House of Commons: Pay

Melanie Onn: To ask the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, what the average salary is for employees of the House of Commons.

Tom Brake: The average salary (basic pay) of staff employed by the House of Commons was £36,784 as at 31 December 2015.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

European Union Solidarity Fund: Floods

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will make a formal application for funding from the EU Solidarity Fund to support communities affected by flooding.

Mr David Lidington: Holding answer received on 17 December 2015



The Foreign and Commonwealth Office would not make applications for funding from the EU Solidarity Fund. Applications to the Fund would be made through the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Visits Abroad

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which countries have not had an official visit by a Minister in his Department since May 2010.

Mr David Lidington: AndorraArgentinaBelarusBeninBritish Antarctic TerritoryBurkina FasoCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadComorosDominicaDemocratic People's Republic of KoreaEast TimorEritreaFederated States of MicronesiaFijiGambiaGuinea BissauGuyanaHondurasKiribatiLiechtensteinMadagascarMauritiusMonacoNicaraguaNigerPitcairn IslandsRepublic of CongoSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSouth Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsSt HelenaSt Kitt's and NevisSt LuciaSt Vincent and the GrenadinesSurinameSwazilandTongaTristan da CuhnaTuvaluVenezuelaZimbabwe

Capital Punishment

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will renew its strategy for the abolition of the death penalty.

Mr David Lidington: This Government has decided to pursue human rights in their universality – a more ambitious and coherent approach than focusing on a small number of single issues. Our commitment to the Rules Based International Order underpins this work, including through bilateral and multilateral support to global efforts to abolish the death penalty. Because of our wider focus, we do not intend to publish a new strategy specific to the death penalty. However, on the 18 January we published a strategy for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which shows how work to abolish the death penalty is important under all three of the strategy’s new themes. The FCO’s death penalty-related work will also be covered in future instalments of the FCO’s Annual Human Rights Report.

Caribbean: Capital Punishment

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in the government of (a) Jamaica and (b) Trinidad and Tobago on the abolition of the death penalty.

Mr David Lidington: It has been a long-standing aspiration of this and previous Governments to persuade Caribbean countries, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to abolish the death penalty. Both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have refrained from executing any prisoners for some years. We hope that the final steps necessary to abolish the death penalty permanently will be taken. We formally recommended that Jamaica should abolish the death penalty during its last United Nations Universal Periodic Review. The UK is working with the new government in Trinidad and Tobago to improve judicial processes, including effective sentencing. We are also funding an abolitionist project in the Caribbean, which is designed to turn public opinion against the injustices and cruelties that come with use of the death penalty.

Yemen: Foreign Relations

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government's current strategy on Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK’s position remains that a political solution is the best way to bring long-term stability to Yemen. We are in regular contact with all parties to the conflict, urging engagement in good faith and to take steps towards achieving a durable ceasefire and we fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen. The UK is the 4th largest donor to the crisis and has more than doubled its humanitarian commitment to Yemen over the last year to £75 million. UK aid has assisted at least 700,000 people directly affected by the conflict including vulnerable host communities, internally displaced people and migrants. We have provided critical support for healthcare, malnutrition, water and sanitation, protection and shelter. We have also continued to strengthen and protect local capacity and community assets from further shocks by providing agricultural and other livelihoods assistance.

Italy: Teachers

Roger Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress his Department has made on representations to the Italian government on guaranteeing that UK citizens working as teachers at universities in Italy who have had financial aspects of their contracts breached by their employers receive redress and equitable treatment.

Mr David Lidington: In 2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office intensified its campaign to end the unacceptable discrimination against the Lettori (UK and foreign national lecturers in Italy). We made significant progress with Italian Ministers in moving towards a legislative solution that would end the inequitable terms and conditions whilst also addressing past discrimination. While this proposal has yet to be submitted to the Italian Parliament, we continue to engage Italian Ministers on this important issue. The most recent meeting took place between The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and Foreign Minister Gentiloni in November 2015.

Iran: Israel

Sir Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Iranian government on the effect on regional relations of the international competition for cartoons and caricatures on the Holocaust organised by the House of Cartoons, under the auspices of the municipality of Tehran.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Our officials in Tehran have raised our opposition to the proposed Holocaust cartoon competition with their counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israel: Palestinians

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority on reports of senior official Jibril Rajoub praising terror attacks against Israelis.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We absolutely condemn the glorification of terrorism and all incitement to commit violence, whichever side it comes from, and we will seek to raise this specific issue with the Palestinian Authority in the near future. Since the start of the current violence we have spoken regularly to both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, urging them to use their influence to de-escalate the tensions. We regularly raise incitement with the Palestinian Authority, and have urged key figures to encourage calm and condemn violence. We continue to support the reinstatement of the Tripartite Committee as the appropriate channel to deal with allegations of incitement from either side.

Israel: Palestinians

Craig Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effect on the Middle East peace process of recent attacks against Israeli citizens.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The current violence makes the environment in Israel and the Occupied Territories less conducive to peace. It also underlines that a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue. We are urging all parties to de-escalate current tensions.

Palestinians: Detainees

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the report on progress on recommendations regarding child detention in Palestine by the delegation of lawyers visiting Palestine in February 2016 to be published.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The visit is currently scheduled for February 2016 and the report will be published in due course. The original report that produced these recommendations was released in June 2012, following a visit in September 2011.

Israel: Palestinians

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to Israel of the implications of its obligations under the Geneva Convention for the practice of forcible transportation of child prisoners from Palestine to Israeli jails.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: As I made clear on 6 January during a Westminster Hall debate, the UK remains concerned about the detention of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons.On 23 November 2015, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns about the treatment of Palestinian minors in Israeli military detention with the Israeli Chief Military Prosecutor. We welcome recent improvements made by the Israeli authorities, including increasing the age of majority from 16 to 18 years old. However, we remain concerned at the number of Palestinian minors held in Israeli detention. We will also fund another visit of the delegation who authored the independent report on Children in Military Custody in February to report on further progress.We continue to push for further measures to ensure that international standards are upheld in regards to the treatment of Palestinian children detained.

Israel: Palestinians

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of (a) the extent of differential treatment of Palestinian and Israeli child detainees by Israel and (b) whether that differential is consistent with Israelis international human rights obligations.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We remain concerned about the use of a dual court system whereby Palestinians, except East Jerusalem residents, are subject to the Israeli military court system, irrespective of the charge, whereas Israeli citizens are dealt with by the Israeli civil justice system. We are clear that Israel has legal obligations as an Occupying Power with respect to the Occupied Palestinian Territories under applicable international law. We regularly discuss with the Government of Israel implementation of those obligations and raise our serious concerns regarding such issues as the treatment of Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons.

Indonesia and Turkey: Terrorism

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on potential links between the terrorist attacks in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Diyarbakir, Turkey, in January 2015.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: This Department holds no information on potential links between the terrorist attack in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Diyabakir, Turkey, in January 2016.

Capital Punishment

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will include a specific reference to the abolition of the death penalty in its global human rights priorities.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) work on abolition of the death penalty is intrinsic to this Government’s pursuit of human rights in their universality. The FCO’s Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy, which for the financial year 2016-17 will be doubled in value, is available to support abolitionist projects under any of its three objectives: democratic values and the rule of law; strengthening the rules-based international order; and human rights for a stable world.

Northern Ireland Office

Security: Northern Ireland

Sir Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The threat from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism is severe.It is being suppressed by the hard work of PSNI and MI5. Because of their efforts, the number of national security attacks has fallen from 40 in 2010 to 16 in 2015. But the need for total vigilance remains and will continue.

Charities: Northern Ireland

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to support charities in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ben Wallace: Support for charities is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government does however, support the Big Lottery Fund (BIG), which plays a vital role in supporting the charity sector in Northern Ireland.The Chancellor announced in the Spending Review that BIG’s funding will be maintained and Northern Ireland will receive £27.3m.

EU Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the value to the economy in Northern Ireland of membership of the EU single market.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The Government is fulfilling its manifesto commitment to seek a reformed relationship with Europe and then put the results of that negotiation to the people in a referendum.

World War I: Anniversaries

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how the Government plans to commemorate in Northern Ireland the centenary of the battle of the Somme.

Mr Ben Wallace: I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon Member for Portsmouth South.

Counter-terrorism: Northern Ireland

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the security services in tackling terrorism in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The PSNI do an outstanding and vital job keeping people safe from violent dissident republicans.That is why they will receive £160 million extra security funding over the next five years from the UK Government to tackle this threat.This builds on £231 million additional security funding we have provided since 2011.

Attorney General

James McConnell

Jim Shannon: To ask the Attorney General, whether he has had discussions with his Northern Ireland counterparts on the recent case of Pastor James McConnell.

Robert Buckland: The Attorney General and I have not had any discussions on Pastor McConnell’s case with the Attorney General for Northern Ireland or the Public Prosecution Service. The decision to prosecute was a matter for the Public Prosecution Service.

Lloyds Bank

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to his contribution of 16 September 2015, Official Report, columns 384-5WH, on Alan Richards and Kashif Shabir: SFO, what the threshold is for an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

Robert Buckland: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) takes on the most serious or complex fraud cases, including cases of bribery or corruption. In considering whether to take on an investigation, the Director of the SFO applies his Statement of Principle, which includes consideration of:whether the apparent criminality undermines UK PLC commercial or financial interests in general and in the City of London in particular,whether the actual or potential financial loss involved is high,whether actual or potential economic harm is significant,whether there is a significant public interest element, andwhether there is new species of fraudThe SFO also pursues criminals for the financial benefit they have made from their crimes, and assists overseas jurisdictions with their investigations into serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption cases.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Small Businesses: Billing

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which 10 companies owed the greatest amount of late payment debt to SMEs in each six-month period of the last 10 years.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many SMEs have been declared bankrupt as a result of late payments in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the cost to the UK economy of late payments to SMEs in each of the last five years.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much on average was owed in late payment debt to SMEs in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many (a) private sector companies, (b) public sector bodies went beyond the maximum 60-day period to repay debt covered by the Late Payment Directive in the last 12 months.

Anna Soubry: The Department does not hold the information required. However, BACS data shows that small and medium businesses are owed a total of £26.8 billion, and the average small business is waiting for £31,900 in overdue payments.[1]The Government recognises that late payment remains an important issue for small businesses in the UK and is taking significant steps to assist small businesses to recover late payment debts. This is part of a package of measures to tackle late payment. We have also legislated for new transparency measures in the public and private sectors.The Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 legislated for new reporting requirement on the UK’s largest companies and Regulations will be introduced this year which will compel larger companies to report on payment practices and performance. This information will be published on a six-monthly basis and will be made publicly available.The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 introduced a requirement for all public-sector buyers to publish annually, from 2017, their liability to debt interest payments. In central government we have gone further and faster. We will be publishing against these requirements quarterly from April this year. This will allow full public scrutiny of payment performance.Through the Enterprise Bill, currently before Parliament, we will legislate to establish a Small Business Commissioner to give general advice and to help small businesses resolve disputes relating to payment matters with larger businesses.Tackling late payment is about creating a responsible payment culture where larger companies recognise the benefit of having a sustainable and robust supply chain, and smaller businesses feel able to challenge poor behaviour. Once implemented, the Government is confident that these measures will lead to significant changes in the UK’s payment culture.[1] BACS Data June 2015.

Disability Aids: Sales

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to prevent the exploitation of consumers by salesmen of stair lifts and other aids to the elderly and disabled.

Nick Boles: The Department funds the Citizens Advice Service to provide valuable advice to consumers, including how to avoid scams. Citizens Advice also lead the annual Scams Awareness Month, working with Trading Standards to help give consumers the confidence to spot and report a scam.Trading Standards Officers have powers to take action under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 against salesmen who use misleading practices and aggressive pressure selling. Additionally, National Trading Standards Scambuster Teams take action against large scale national and regional scammers, including those who exploit the elderly and vulnerable through the sale of substandard or unnecessary mobility aids.Since 2014 the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2014 introduced important new rights for consumers to take their own action against such traders to get their money back.

Construction: Small Businesses

John Mc Nally: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reasons the remit of the proposed Small Business Commissioner does not include businesses in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) will not consider a complaint which is covered by a statutory right to adjudication; or is within scope of an ombudsman, regulator or another public body.We do not want the SBC to duplicate existing dispute resolution bodies or schemes, particularly where these are sector specific. Certain disputes arising under a construction contract are covered by a statutory right to adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (the “Construction Act”).The Government has announced its plans for taking forward a Post Implementation Review of the effectiveness of the “Construction Act” following amendments introduced in 2011 - alongside the review of the practice of cash retention in construction, and is very pleased that the Construction Leadership Council has agreed to oversee this.

Construction: Payments

John Mc Nally: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to tackle part payment in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles: Late payment remains an important issue. The Government is taking significant steps to assist small businesses to recover late payment debts.The Government promotes fair payment practices in construction through legislation (the “Construction Act”), the use of public procurement (promoting prompt payment to Tier 3 and the use of Project Bank Accounts), and by working with the industry through voluntary measures (such as the Prompt Payment Code and the Construction Leadership Council’s Payment Charter).The Government has legislated for new transparency measures in the public and private sectors. This will allow full public scrutiny of payment performance.The Payment Charter includes a commitment of zero retentions by 2025. To support this work, the Government recently announced a review of the practice of cash retentions under construction contracts in England.Tackling late payment is about creating a responsible payment culture where larger companies recognise the benefit of having a sustainable and robust supply chain, and smaller businesses feel able to challenge poor behaviour.The Government believes that taken together these measures will lead to significant changes in the UK’s payment culture.

Apprentices

James Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what arrangements his Department has in place to ensure that organisations are not able to provide both training for and assessment of the standards for the same apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles: The Department is fully committed to the principle that end point assessment should either be delivered by an independent third party, or in such a way that no party involved in the management or training of an apprentice can make the sole decision on competence and passing the end-point assessment.We are working to ensure the Register of Assessment Organisations and Register of Training Providers, which govern who can conduct training and assessment, support this principle.

Green Investment Bank

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2015 to Question 902718, what transfer arrangements are in place for the 70 green specialists employed by the Green Investment Bank should they be transferred to the private sector.

Anna Soubry: Private investors will be buying the Green Investment Bank company and employees will continue to be employed by that company. No transfer arrangements are therefore required.

Department for International Development

Development Countries: Parasitic Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support global efforts against schistosomiasis.

Mr Nick Hurd: DFID is a leading donor in the fight against schistosomiasis which is not only an incredibly debilitating disease, but holds back 200 million people globally from achieving their potential and contributing to the success of their country, not least economically. For this reason we are providing £50 million to deliver over 200 million treatments for schistosomiasis in ten Sub-Saharan African countries (2010-2018). These treatments are delivered by the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative which is based at Imperial College, London. To date nearly 60 million treatments have been distributed.The programme is also making a significant contribution to developing new knowledge on how to best reach our goal of elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem through operational research and working with partners globally.

Developing Countries: Infectious Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support global efforts against  neglected tropical diseases.

Mr Nick Hurd: DFID is a global leader on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). At the high profile London Declaration on NTDs in 2012 the UK brought together the International Community including Leading pharmaceutical companies. We are meeting our commitments including spending £195m on NTDs through multi-year programmes and as a result of the London Declaration pharmaceutical companies have pledged drugs valued at US$17.8 billion from 2014 to 2020. We support programmes that tackle a range of NTDs including schistosomiasis (bilharzia), blinding trachoma, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness) and visceral leishmaniasis. Eradication of Guinea worm disease is in sight and the UK has played a key role in this, supporting the work of the Carter Center and the World Health Organisation.DFID support research through a range of initiatives which include the development of new treatment and diagnostic products, as well as implementation research

Department for Education

Children in Care

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked-after children there were of each age in each care setting in the last 12 months for which data is available.

Edward Timpson: The information requested is shown in the table below.Children looked after at 31 March 2015 by placement and age at 31 March1,2Coverage: EnglandPlacement at 31 MarchAge at 31 March 2015Foster placementsPlaced for adoptionPlacement with parentsOther placement in the communitySecure units, children's homes and hostelsOther residential settingsResidential schoolsOther placement03,1002901800x1400x11,8708302600x200x21,67052026000100x31,6604502500xx0x41,6903702400x100x51,9503302100xx0x62,290240180010x0072,480150160020xxx82,79080180040x10x92,890501600701020x103,0701016001402020x113,1501016001902030x123,360x13002904060x133,510x15004505070x143,890x16008508090x154,300x190101,16017011010164,49002305401,6302401301017 3,89002601,7401,7102701301018000010000Source: SSDA9031. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.2. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.x. Figures not shown in order to protect confidentiality.

Special Guardianship Orders

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress has been made on her Department's review of Special Guardian Orders.

Edward Timpson: The Government published its response to the special guardianship review on 17 December 2015, which can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/special-guardianship-reviewThe review found that the majority of Special Guardianship Orders are made to carers who have an existing relationship with the child and who will be able to care for the child until adulthood, with appropriate support. However, some issues have been identified with special guardianship.On 2 December 2015, the Prime Minister announced that we would strengthen regulations to ensure that special guardian assessments are more robust and based on the principle that the guardian should be capable of caring for the child to the age of 18. Further proposals to strengthen special guardianship will be issued shortly.

Apprentices

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships for people aged 16 to 19 years old.

Nick Boles: Apprenticeships are jobs which provide quality training; their availability is dependent upon employers offering opportunities. Our goal is for young people to see apprenticeships as a high quality and prestigious path to successful careers, and for these opportunities to be available across all sectors of the economy, in all parts of the country and at all levels.There were 2.4 million apprenticeships starts delivered in the last Parliament, 26 percent of which were under 19. Our 2020 Vision sets out how we will reach 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020. This includes continuing employer-led reforms, making it more attractive for businesses to offer more apprenticeships.We will continue to work with employers to encourage them to take on younger apprentices. Government fully funds framework apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds and will continue to do so. Other employer incentives include the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE), which offers payments of £1,500 per apprentice to employers taking on a young person aged 16-24. We are providing £85 million to extend AGE to the end of the 2016/17 academic year. The apprenticeship levy will put apprenticeship funding in the hands of employers and will encourage them to invest in their apprentices and take on more.

Skin Cancer: Health Education

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will take steps to encourage greater education about sun safety and skin cancer in schools.

Edward Timpson: We recognise the importance of teaching children and young people about the importance of sun safety and the risks of skin cancer. The primary science national curriculum emphasises the need for pupils to recognise the different ways in which light from the sun can be dangerous and how they should protect their eyes. Skin cancer and other health issues can also be covered in the key stage 4 science curriculum when pupils can be taught about the impact of lifestyle factors on the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Schools can choose to include cancer awareness in their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education lessons. The non-statutory programme of study for PSHE education enables schools to teach young people about cancer prevention, checking for cancer and other illnesses, and how to overcome worries about seeking help.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on “Skin Cancer Prevention” in January 2011.

Ministry of Justice

Offenders: Education

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will introduce tele-teaching in prisons and young offending facilities to improve general education and reduce reoffending rates.

Andrew Selous: A review of the quality of education in adult prisons and young offender institutions for 18-20 year olds is currently being led by Dame Sally Coates and will report in due course. Options for improving education outcomes will be considered, including looking at the most effective use of Distance Learning and ICT. Dame Sally is due to report later this year.The review of the youth justice system in England and Wales being led by Charlie Taylor will also consider education in the youth secure estate and will conclude later this year.

Civil Law: Advisory Services

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to implement the Low Commission's recommendation that legislative proposals should be brought forward to (a) make the Access to Justice Foundation the recipient of unclaimed damages in collective actions and (b) introduce a compulsory Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts scheme for firms with profits above an agreed threshold with the proceeds of that scheme being paid to the Access to Justice Foundation.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The Government commends those providers of legal services who already use the monies generated from their client accounts to help fund pro bono and charitable work. We would encourage other providers to follow that example. We want to create a one nation justice system to work better for victims and to deliver a faster and fairer justice for all citizens. We are considering how this can be taken forward.

Medway Secure Training Centre

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will order a serious case review of allegations of abuse at Medway Secure Training Centre.

Andrew Selous: Kent Police and Medway Council’s child protection team have launched an investigation into the allegations made about Medway Secure Training Centre (STC). It will be for the Local Safeguarding Children Board to decide whether to undertake a serious case review. The Ministry of Justice and Youth Justice Board will do everything we can to assist and support the investigation underway. Last week, HM Inspectorate of Prisons and Ofsted have also visited the STC since the allegations were made.

Community Rehabilitation Companies: Staff

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which community rehabilitation companies have informed his Department of plans to reduce staff in the last 12 months.

Andrew Selous: All Community Rehabilitation Companies informed the MoJ of their plans to restructure as part of the bidding process, which was robustly evaluated. They are contractually required to maintain a professional and appropriately skilled workforce to deliver the services set out in their contracts. We are robustly managing the contracts to make sure the providers deliver services which reduce reoffending, protect the public and provide value for money to the taxpayer.

Magistrates: Training

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what anti-racism training is given to youth court magistrates.

Mr Shailesh Vara: All judicial office holders are required to apply the law fairly and objectively regardless of the ethnicity of those who appear before them. A key principle of judicial training is that it should include the social context within which judges and magistrates operate, such as awareness of diversity issues. Additionally, the Judicial College, which oversees the delivery of judicial training on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice, maintains an Equal Treatment Bench Book to assist judicial office holders to deal fairly with those who appear before them. The Bench Book is publicly available at: https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications/equal-treatment-bench-book/

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: UK Membership of EU

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

David Mundell: I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer given by my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister on 14 January 2016.

Asylum

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Statement of 11 January 2016 on the Smith Commission Agreement, HCWS458, what the (a) dates, (b) minutes and (c) outcomes was of any discussions or meeting held since 28 November 2014 on issues relating to asylum seekers with (i) Home Office Ministers and (ii) Ministers or Officials of the Scottish Government.

David Mundell: In the period since the Smith Commission, the UK and Scottish Governments have had regular meetings to discuss issues relating to asylum seekers. These have included discussions on the non-legislative proposals from the Commission, and a demonstration for Scottish Government officials of the asylum process at the Home Office in Glasgow. This cross-government work with the Scottish Government on asylum issues is on-going.

Work and Health Programme: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2015 to Question 18729 and the oral contribution of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury of 6 January 2016, Official Report, columns 274-5, whether he has discussed the introduction of the new Work and Health Programme in Scotland with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

David Mundell: Holding answer received on 18 January 2016



Further to my answer of 10 December 2015, UK and Scottish Government officials are discussing the introduction of the new Work and Health Programme and broader welfare reforms, including the implications for Scotland in the context of the devolution of welfare powers in the Scotland Bill. In due course, I would expect these issues to be discussed by the Joint Ministerial Welfare Group, which I co-chair with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights and is attended by DWP and HM Treasury Ministers.

British Transport Police: Police Service of Scotland

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has received on the Scottish Government's proposals to absorb the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.

David Mundell: Holding answer received on 18 January 2016



The cross-party Smith Commission agreed that the functions of the British Transport Police in Scotland would be devolved. The Government has received representations about the transfer of these functions in Scotland, including correspondence from MPs. The Department for Transport and Scottish Government officials are in regular contact about the delivery of the transfer of functions.

Scotland Office: Defibrillators

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many defibrillators are provided in each building his Department manages.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office manages two buildings. Dover House in London and Melville Crescent in Edinburgh. There is one defibrillator at Melville Crescent. There is no defibrillator at Dover House.

Higher Education: Applications

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution of 6 January 2016, Official Report, column 275, what the source is of the figures which he quoted on application rates for higher education.

David Mundell: These figures were published by UCAS on 30 January 2015. The relevant publication can be found at:https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/january_application_rates_2015_final_0.pdf

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: Pay

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that staff dealing with universal credit are on the same rates of pay once staff from HM Revenue and Customs are transferred to his Department.

Priti Patel: DWP currently operates a pay system which, in common with other civil service departments including HMRC, uses pay ranges based on grade and location. Factors such as business needs and benchmarking of similar public and private sector organisations are considered as part of each DWP annual pay review

Children: Maintenance

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many parents have been exempted from fees and charges for the 2012 child maintenance scheme.

Priti Patel: As at the end of August 2015, there were 3,130 exemptions to Application Fees. There are no exemptions for collection and enforcement charges.More details can be found on page 4 of the Child Maintenance Scheme quarterly summary of statistics which can be accessed online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/2012-statutory-child-maintenance-scheme-aug-2013-to-aug-2015-experimental.

Children: Maintenance

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many parents have moved to direct pay since the introduction of the 2012 child maintenance scheme.

Priti Patel: As at the end of August 2015, 82,600 cases were paying via Direct Pay.More details can be found on page 6 of the Child Maintenance Scheme quarterly summary of statistics which can be accessed online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/2012-statutory-child-maintenance-scheme-aug-2013-to-aug-2015-experimental.Notes:This figure only includes cases that are live with a payment that is due.Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

Children: Maintenance

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to increase collection charges for the 2012 child maintenance scheme for the (a) parent with care and (b) non-resident parent.

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to increase application charges to join the 2012 child maintenance scheme.

Priti Patel: The level of the application charge and collection charges for parents with care and non-resident parents will be included in the statutory 30 month review of charging, which is due to be completed by December 2016. There are no current plans to increase the application fee or collection charges.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 11 January 2015 to Questions 21337 and 21336, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the vast majority of existing universal credit claimants will see no change in entitlement.

Priti Patel: Holding answer received on 19 January 2016



The latest statistics indicate that the majority of existing Universal Credit claimants are not yet in work.As such they will not see a change in entitlement as a result of the April 2016 changes.

Personal Independence Payment

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment claimants were asked to attend reassessments earlier than the date originally given in each of the last three years.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Personal Independence Payment

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what circumstances claimants of personal independence payment may be asked to attend reassessments at an earlier date than initially expected.

Justin Tomlinson: Benefit is always awarded on the basis that the level of need at the start of the award will continue at the same level throughout the period of the award. In most cases the length of award is based on an intervention date decided by the decision maker, and informed by a healthcare professional.Where a claimant’s circumstances change or doubt arises as to the correctness of the award, the claimant or the department can instigate a review of that award before the planned end date. Where this happens the claimant may be asked to attend a face to face consultation with a Health Professional.

Universal Credit

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will publish an impact assessment in respect of the Universal Credit (Work Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2015.

Priti Patel: The impact of the work allowance change cannot be considered in isolation – it is part of a broader package of measures announced at the Summer Budget, such as the increase to the personal tax allowance and introduction of the national living wage.

Social Security Benefits

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time a person waited after applying to a hardship fund to receive funding was in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Edinburgh in the last 12 months.

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people subject to benefit sanctions applied to a hardship fund in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Edinburgh in 2015.

Priti Patel: The information is not available at the level requested and could only be provided at disproportionate costs.The Department has, however, published information on the number of hardship applications and awards for Jobseekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance which can be accessed via the link below.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/jsa-and-esa-hardship-applications-and-awards-apr-2012-to-jun-2015

Pensions

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a person is entitled to be paid their full pension from the day they turn 65 years old.

Justin Tomlinson: The State Pension age is changing as outlined in the timetable here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310231/spa-timetable.pdfFor those not moving from a working age benefit to State Pension, the current State Pension is paid only in full benefit weeks. This does mean that depending on the individual’s payday, as determined by their National Insurance number, payment may not begin from the day they reach their State Pension age.New rules will apply in the new State Pension scheme from 6 April 2016. Individuals who reach State Pension age on or after that date will be paid their new State Pension from the date they reach their State Pension age. Payments will be made in arrears on a payday based on the individual’s National Insurance number. This means that in most cases the first payment may be in respect of a part of a week – that is from the day the individual reaches State Pension age to their first normal payday.

Ministry of Defence

RAF Northolt

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has received from civilian business jet wage of RAF Northolt in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne: Holding answer received on 18 January 2016



Receipts in respect of RAF Notholt comprise two elements: income from civilian aircraft business and other aviation-associated activity. The data available for these two elements covering the last five financial years (FY) is shown in the following table:Financial YearCivilian Aircraft BusinessOther Aviation activityTOTAL2010-11£6.5 million (estimated)£3.1 million£9.6 million2011-12£8.1 million£3.1 million£11.2 million2012-13£4.9 million£3.1 million£8.0 million2013-14£6.0 million£3.4 million£9.4 million2014-15£6.8 millionNot yet availableTo be confirmedThe reduction from FY2011-12 to FY2012-13 was due to the loss of additional revenues from utilisation of a hanger by a commercial operator.Data regarding the other aviation-associated activity for FY2014-15 has not been verified and I will write to the hon. Member, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House, as soon as the information is available.

Cyprus: Military Aircraft

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to minimise the time taken for military aircraft parts to be delivered to his Department's bases in Cyprus.

Mr Philip Dunne: The supply chain to Cyprus is operating well in support of military aircraft based there with aircraft parts delivered in a timely fashion ensuring there are no disruptions to military operations.

Aircraft Carriers: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has commenced a programme of testing shipborne rolling vertical landing of the F35B Lightning II.

Mr Philip Dunne: Shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) testing will begin during the UK's F-35B first of class flying trials, which are scheduled to take place aboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH from 2018. SRVL testing is scheduled for completion in 2020. A programme of SRVL simulation testing will continue until first of class flying trials begin.

Aircraft Carriers: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many take-off tests for the F35B Lightning II have been completed using the Queen Elizabeth-class simulating ski ramp at US NAS Patuxent River.

Mr Philip Dunne: F-35B ski ramp jump testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River began in 2015 and, as at 31 December 2015, 20 test launches had successfully been completed. The programme of test launches from the land-based ski jump ramp is scheduled to be completed in late 2017.

Defence Equipment: Decommissioning

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military assets his Department has decommissioned in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence manages a wide range of assets to support the UK Armed Forces. A list of equipment decommissioned in the last 12 months is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Nuclear Submarines

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency plans the Government has in place should Rolls Royce be unable to complete the Nuclear Reactor Component of the Successor Programme on schedule.

Mr Philip Dunne: We work closely with all of our key suppliers to ensure they deliver the capability we need. Risks and associated mitigation action are continually reviewed for all defence programmes. It would not be appropriate for the Ministry of Defence to release commercially sensitive material on any defence programme, as to do so would prejudice commercial interests.

Type 26 Frigates

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much imported steel will be used in the manufacture of the new Type 26 frigates in (a) market value and (b) weight in tonnes.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much UK steel will be used in the manufacture of the new Type 26 frigates in (a) market value and (b) weight in tonnes.

Mr Philip Dunne: Steel is sourced by our contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, reflecting the need to ensure a competitive price and delivery at the required time and quality. UK suppliers have provided significant quantities of steel for major defence equipment procurement programmes, whenever they have been able to meet specified standards. Our new Government guidelines, published in November 2015, will help UK steel suppliers to compete effectively with international suppliers for major projects, including those in defence.No steel suppliers have been selected or any orders placed for the Type 26 Global Combat Ships. It is therefore too early to say how much steel will be used in this programme or from where it will be sourced.

Ascension Island: Unmanned Air Vehicles

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many sorties of the Watchkeeper UAV have been flown from RAF Ascension in each month since January 2015.

Mr Philip Dunne: None.

Home Office

Immigration Controls

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on reducing net migration to the tens of thousands.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 11 January 2016



Uncontrolled mass immigration increases pressure on public services and can drive down wages. That is why our ambition remains to cut net migration to sustainable levels. We continue to work across government to reduce net migration outside of the EU and seek reform in Europe to reduce the pull factors behind EU migration. Building on the measures in the Immigration Act 2014, our new Immigration Bill will address illegal working, the availability of public services which help migrants remain here unlawfully and will extend our 'deport first appeal later' approach to ensure that even more illegal migrants are removed from the UK.

Vetting

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken was for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to (a) process the DBS application and either scan or return to the applicant for amendments, (b) search the Police National Computer, (c) search the Children's Barred List where appropriate, (d) search the Adults' Barred List where appropriate, (e) search the records held by local police where appropriate and (f) print the DBS certificate and return all necessary documentation to the applicant (i) nationally, (ii) in London and (iii) in Hampstead and Kilburn constituency in each year since 2012.

Karen Bradley: Table 1 shows the average number of days taken by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to search the Police National Computer, search the records held by local police where appropriate and to print the DBS certificate and return all necessary documentation to the applicant nationally.PeriodTime to Search PNC (days)Time to search Local Police Records (days)Time to Print Certificate (days)December -12 to March -131.124.221.28April -13 to March -141.646.531.39April -14 to March -153.047.042.08April -15 to November -152.688.081.74Table 2 shows the average number of days taken by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to search the Police National Computer, search the records held by local police where appropriate and to print the DBS certificate and return all necessary documentation to applicants with a London postcode.Period(b) Search PNC(e) Search Local Police Records(f) Print CertificateDecember -12 to March -131.255.141.16April -13 to March -141.638.231.28April -14 to March -152.8310.781.90April -15 to Nov-152.5814.531.60It is not possible to provide figures for the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency as this information is not collected.Figures for the average processing time for scanning and returning paper applications cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.Checks of the Children’s barred list and the Adults’ barred list are carried out in parallel to the local police checks and data on the average time taken to conduct these checks cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

Asylum

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who have been granted asylum since 2000 have been (a) granted indefinite leave to remain after five years and (b) deported.

James Brokenshire: The term 'deportations' refers to a legal definition of a specific set of removals. Deportations are a specific subset of removals which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK until such time as it may be revoked. Published information on those deported is not separately available. As such, the question has been interpreted as referring to enforced removals. In an enforced removal, it has been established that a person has breached UK immigration laws and / or has no valid leave to remain in the UK. They have declined to leave voluntarily and the Home Office enforces their departure from the UK.The tables set out below provide a) asylum-related grants of settlement (indefinite leave to remain) from 2005 and b) the total number of enforced removals of people granted asylum at initial decision, from 2009 to 2014.The figures on asylum-related grants of settlement (indefinite leave to remain) relate to grants of settlement following appropriate residence eligibility periods, to individuals previously granted refugee status, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave or exceptional leave to remain. This may include some individuals who receiving asylum-related grants prior to 2000.Information on asylum-related grants of settlement and persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK are published in the Home Office’s Immigration Statistics. The latest edition, Immigration Statistics: July to September 2015, is available from GOV.UK on the statistics web pages at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.



Grants of settlement
(Excel SpreadSheet, 26.5 KB)




Enforced removals
(Excel SpreadSheet, 19.12 KB)

Asylum

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum decisions identified as critically flawed in her Department's Quality Audit in the last 12 months were (a) reconsidered by officials as a consequence of that finding, (b) overturned as a result of that reconsideration and (c) overturned on appeal.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 14 January 2016



In the twelve months to September 2015 a total of 29,246 asylum decisions were made. Over the same period, 4 asylum decisions were identified as critically flawed by the Department’s Quality Audit team of which;a) all were reviewed as a result of the assessment,b) 3 were overturned as a result of that reconsideration and;c) none have to date been overturned at appeal.

Asylum

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum decisions identified as seriously flawed in her Department's Quality Audit in the last 12 months were (a) reconsidered by officials as a consequence of that finding, (b) overturned as a result of that reconsideration and (c) overturned on appeal.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 14 January 2016



In the twelve months to September 2015, a total of 29,246 asylum decisions were made. Over the same period, 344 asylum decisions were identified as containing serious errors by the Department’s Quality Audit team. Those cases which are identified as containing Serious Errors before the decision is served are required to be put right before service. The detailed breakdown requested for ‘b’ and ‘c’ is not available and to obtain this data is not economically viable.

Asylum

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many seriously or critically flawed decisions were identified in the  Quality Audit of her Department's asylum decisions in the last 12 months.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 14 January 2016



In the twelve months to September 2015 a total of 29,246 asylum decisions were made. Over the same period, 344 asylum decisions were identified by the Department’s Quality Audit team as containing serious errors and 4 identified as critically flawed. The Home Office continues to review processes and procedures as part of its ongoing work to improve decision making.

Asylum: Deportation

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants for asylum who have been served with a deportation or removal order have been allowed safe passage back to the UK after the order has taken effect in the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Money Laundering

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) arrests and (b) convictions for laundering money there were from which countries in each year between 2010 and 2015.

Mike Penning: The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK has a robust anti-money laundering regime. The National Risk Assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing was published on 15 October 2015. This identified the threats and vulnerabilities we face in these areas, and an action plan will be published shortly, setting out the steps that we will take to address them.To lead our law enforcement response to this threat, in 2013 the Government created the Economic Crime Command (ECC) of the National Crime Agency (NCA). The ECC has established a new International Corruption Unit in the NCA to provide a single centre of excellence in this field.The Home Office collects data on arrests at offence group level, which includes groups such as ‘fraud and forgery’ and ‘theft and handling stolen goods’. Details on arrests for specific offences are not centrally collected.The number of people prosecuted, convicted and given a custodial sentence for money laundering offences, in England and Wales, from 2004 to 2014 (the latest data available), can be viewed on the Ministry of Justice website at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2014Under “Criminal justice statistics outcomes by offence data tool” by selecting the offence: 38 Money laundering. The Ministry of Justice is unable to identify from centrally held data the country of origin of a defendant convicted of a money laundering offence or the country where the money originated from.

Money Laundering: Greater London

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent laundered money entering the London housing market.

Mike Penning: The Government is committed to protecting the integrity of our financial system and to ensuring that the UK is a hostile environment for illicit finance, to protect our national security and promote growth. The Government is also committed to ensuring that we maintain a robust and proportionate anti-money laundering regime.Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is the anti money laundering supervisor of estate agents and takes a robust, intelligence led approach to ensuring compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (the Regulations). An estate agent should not operate as such unless they are registered with HMRC under Regulations. It is an offence to carry out relevant business without registering with HMRC and the Estate Agency Business (EAB) may be penalised or face criminal prosecution if they fail to do. All those dealing with property transactions in the UK are regulated for money laundering purposes, including banks, the legal and accountancy sectors, and estate agents, and are required to report suspicious activity to the National Crime Agency. The Suspicious Activity Reports regime is currently being reviewed to make it a more effective mechanism for identifying money laundering and terrorist financing.The National Risk Assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing was published on 15 October 2015. This identified the threats and vulnerabilities we face in these areas, and an Action Plan will be published shortly, setting out the steps that the Government will take to address them.The Prime Minister made clear in his Singapore speech on corruption last year that the Government is determined to make sure the UK does not become a safe haven for corrupt money. As a first step he asked the Land Registry to publish data on which foreign companies own which land and property titles in England and Wales. The Prime Minister's Anti-Corruption Summit in May will also consider what more the Government can do to tackle flows of illicit finance at home and abroad.

Immigrants

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answers of 24 December 2015 to Questions 19956 and 19957, how many migrants granted leave to remain in the UK did not have No Recourse to public funds conditions imposed on them because of exceptional circumstances in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010.

James Brokenshire: The number of cases in which leave to remain in the UK was granted that did not have No Recourse to Public Funds conditions imposed on them in the years 2008 to 2010 was as follows:2008: 3,4902009: 7,7952010: 9,020These figures have been provided by the Home Office database with figures rounded to the nearest 5, interpreting ‘migrants’ as ‘lead cases’ and excluding asylum applications.

Immigration Rules: Syria

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to renew concessions to the immigration rules for Syrian nationals lawfully in the UK beyond 28 February 2016.

James Brokenshire: The Government is currently considering whether to renew the concession for Syrian nationals in respect of the Immigration Rules. The Government continues to monitor the situation in Syria closely in order to ensure our response is appropriate.

Migrant Workers: Domestic Service

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many domestic workers from overseas successfully applied for leave to remain in the UK in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The information requested on extensions of stay (leave to remain) is given in the table below. Corresponding data for 2015 will be published on 25 February 2016.Domestic workers in Private Households (and dependants) granted an extension of stayYearMain applicantsDependantsTotal20106,6456087,25320116,1564906,64620123,7373114,04820135,2184285,64620144,0253844,409Source:Immigration Statistics July-September 2015, Home Office, table ex_01.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/476907/extensions-q3-2015-tabs.odsInformation on grants of extensions of stay for overseas domestic workers in private households is published in the Extensions table ex_01 in the Home Office’s Immigration Statistics release. The latest edition, Immigration Statistics: July to September 2015 is available from the Library of the House and on the GOV.UK statistics web pages at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

Airports: Alcoholic Drinks

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to review the licensing arrangements for airside bars and restaurants in airports.

Karen Bradley: Under the Licensing Act 2003, airside bars and restaurants at airports designated by the secretary of state do not require a licence. There are no plans to review this.

HM Treasury

Oil: Prices

Matthew Pennycook: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of falling oil prices on the UK's net international investment position.

Harriett Baldwin: The information requested is available in the latest Balance of Payments (2015 Q3) release from the ONS which can be found here: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_429314.pdf

Treasury: UK Membership of EU

Tim Loughton: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in the United Kingdom - so we can get a better deal for our country and secure our future. We are confident that the right agreement can be reached.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Patrick Grady: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on which occasions officials of his Department have met representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland in each of the last five years; and what topics were discussed at each such meeting.

Harriett Baldwin: HM Treasury officials meet regularly with representatives of financial services firms, including Royal Bank of Scotland, to discuss a wide range of domestic and international financial services issues. However, the Department does not maintain a registry of working level meetings.

Credit Cards: Debts

Jim Shannon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to assist students with minimising the accrual of credit card debt.

Jim Shannon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to facilitate a process of credit card transfers for people in debt.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, which includes the credit card sector. Consumer credit regulation transferred from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April 2014.The FCA is currently undertaking a thorough review of the credit card market through its ‘credit card market study’. The market study is investigating three areas, including the extent of unaffordable credit card debt and how consumers can drive effective competition through shopping around and switching.On the 3rd November 2015 the FCA published its interim report which found that the market was working reasonably well for most customers. However, the FCA expressed concern about the scale of potentially problematic debt in this sector, and the incentives for firms to manage this.The interim report also included the FCA’s early thinking on potential remedies which include measures to give consumers more control over their credit limits, measures to encourage customers to pay off debt quicker when they can afford to, and proposals that firms do more to identify earlier those consumers who may be struggling to repay and take action to help them manage their repayments.The FCA also set out potential measures to allow consumers to open access to their credit card usage to other market participants, as well as clarifying standards for price comparison websites, in order to facilitate shopping around and switching. The FCA is currently asking for feedback on the findings and potential remedies.The Government is looking forward to the full report in the spring, and would encourage interested parties to give their views to the FCA to assist it in addressing the issues it has identified.

Credit Cards: Debts

Jim Shannon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with credit card companies on supporting people on low incomes with credit card debts.

Harriett Baldwin: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of companies and organisations to discuss relevant issues. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

Landfill Communities Fund

Greg Mulholland: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been paid to the Landfill Communities Fund by third party groups in each of the last five years.

Damian Hinds: The regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund, ENTRUST, does not hold data on the amount of money contributed by third parties.

Living Wage Foundation

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received from the Living Wage Foundation in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds: The Government receives representations from a wide range of stakeholders on the minimum wage. A list of ministers’ meetings is published on the GOV.UK website.

Self-employed: Taxation

Dan Jarvis: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government plans to introduce a one-month time limit on engagements for (a) small business and (b) other limited company contractors before they are treated as employees for tax purposes.

Mr David Gauke: Where people would have been employees if they were providing their services directly, the intermediaries legislation (known as IR35) requires that they pay broadly the same tax and National Insurance as other employees.The Government estimates that currently only around 10% of people who should pay tax on at least part of their company's income under these rules do so. This non-compliance is both unfair and estimated to cost over £400 million a year. The Government is therefore looking to improve the legislation in a way that protects the Exchequer and improves fairness. However, it is not the Government's intention to widen the scope of the rules.The Government published a discussion document on 17 July 2015 that set out the issues in more detail and invited views on options for reform. The discussion period closed on 30 September and the Government will announce next steps in due course.

Small Businesses: Billing

Bill Esterson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of late payment of claims by insurance companies on SMEs.

Harriett Baldwin: In the Enterprise Bill, Government has proposed to introduce a new requirement for insurers to pay claims within a reasonable time, which will also entitle policyholders to claim damages where a claims is paid late. An assessment of the impact of late payment of insurance claims, including on small and medium sized enterprises, has been published by the government:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461200/BIS-15-517-IA-late-payment-of-insurance-claims.pdf

Working Tax Credit: Burnley

Julie Cooper: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Burnley receive working tax credit.

Julie Cooper: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Burnley receive child tax credit.

Damian Hinds: Information on the figures you have requested can be found in the latest publication, Child and Working Tax Credits statistics, Finalised annual awards - Geographical analysis, which is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014

Pensions: Tax Allowances

Rachel Reeves: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of introducing flat rate tax relief on pensions contributions.

Harriett Baldwin: At the Summer Budget 2015 the government launched a consultation on whether there is a case for reforming pensions tax relief to strengthen incentives to save and offer savers greater simplicity and transparency, or whether it would be best to keep with the current system. The government is considering the response and will publish a response at Budget 2016.

Sunscreens: VAT

Pauline Latham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will include the removal of VAT on sun safety products in his negotiations on VAT on sanitary products with his counterparts in the EU.

Mr David Gauke: EU VAT rules do not currently allow for the application of a zero rate of VAT to sanitary products. That is why I have written to the European Commission and other Member States setting out our strong view that Member States should have full discretion over what rate of VAT they can apply to these products.Drugs and medications that are dispensed by a registered pharmacist against a prescription issued by a qualifying health professional are zero rated for VAT.High-factor sunscreen is on the NHS prescription list for certain conditions and is therefore provided VAT free when dispensed by a pharmacist to patients.

Sunscreens: VAT

Pauline Latham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will assess the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT on sunscreen, sun block and other sun safety products.

Mr David Gauke: EU VAT law does not specifically provide for a reduced rate for sunscreen, although there is a provision for a reduced rate of VAT for “pharmaceutical products of a kind normally used for health care, prevention of diseases and treatment for medical and veterinary purposes”.Not all sunscreen products are recognised as having a health benefit and the factor level necessary for adequate protection is a matter of contention.However, high-factor sunscreen is on the NHS prescription list for certain conditions and provided VAT free when dispensed by a pharmacist to patients.

Working Tax Credit: Bolton North East

Mr David Crausby: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been paid in working tax credit to people in Bolton North East constituency in (a) 2015-16 to date, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2013-14.

Damian Hinds: Information for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2014-15 is not available. HMRC will be publishing the 2014-15 Tax Credits Finalised Awards National Statistics on 27th May 2016.Information for 2013-14 can be found in the latest publication, Child and Working Tax Credits statistics, finalised annual awards - geographical analysis, which is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014Table 3 provides information on the average number of families in receipt of Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit and their average annual entitlements. For families in receipt of CTC and WTC, the average annual entitlement is the combined amount of both tax credits. The information is available for each Westminster Parliamentary constituency, including Bolton North East.

Small Businesses: Taxation

Chi Onwurah: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the development process is for the free software for small businesses to use to meet the requirements of Making Tax Digital.

Mr David Gauke: The Government has committed to ensuring free apps and software are available for those with the simplest affairs in order that businesses can meet the requirements of Making Tax DigitalHMRC will follow an ‘agile’ approach for software development further information on which can be found at the following URL: https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/agile. This approach allows for a deep understanding of business user needs across all stages of development led by research, interviews, discovery workshops, and wider stakeholder engagement. HMRC will then engage closely with the software industry as they develop the software to ensure the requirements and appropriate standards are met, while also feeding in insight generated from HMRC's own work.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Climate Change: Economic Situation

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with the Bank of England regarding risks to financial stability that arise as a consequence of climate change.

Andrea Leadsom: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change met the Governor of the Bank of England on 18 September 2015. They discussed: the Bank of England’s work on financial stability and climate change with regard to its report ‘The impact of climate change on the UK insurance sector’ commissioned by the Department of Food and Rural Affairs; and the Financial Stability Board’s work on disclosure of climate risk.

Energy: Meters

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent discussions she has had with the big six energy companies on the introduction of half-hourly settlements before the national smart meter rollout.

Andrea Leadsom: DECC engages regularly with energy suppliers and other industry stakeholders on half-hourly settlement. We consider there is a strong case for half-hourly settlement for domestic and smaller non-domestic customers to be enabled in step with the smart meter roll-out. Half hourly settlement, using the functionality provided by smart meters, can help support the move towards a smarter, more flexible energy system that delivers lower bills, lower carbon emissions and enhanced security of supply.We are working with Ofgem to remove the barriers to suppliers and consumers choosing half-hourly settlement by early 2017. This work will also consider the approach for moving to mandatory half-hourly settlement with a decision to be taken on the timescale and approach in 2018.

Biofuels: Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what support her Department plans to provide to ensure that proposed biomass combined heat and power schemes are not affected by changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what criteria her Department plans to use to determine which biomass combined heat and power schemes receive support under the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when her Department plans to publish the terms of reference for its Renewable Heat Incentive consultation.

Andrea Leadsom: To be eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support, all biomass combined heat and power (CHP) must be certified by the Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) scheme, and must demonstrate that they have a valid CHPQA certificate. Any installation claiming the CHP Renewable Obligation Certificate uplift will not be eligible for receiving support under the RHI scheme.We intend to reform the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to improve value for money and reduce costs; improve cost control and budget management; and ensure the scheme focuses more on our long-term needs, while contributing to both our carbon and renewable energy targets. We plan to consult on the changes shortly. Therefore, I am unable to make specific commitments as to the future shape of the scheme at this point.

Mobile Homes: Energy

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer submitted to Question 21401, what new or changed policies her Department has implemented as a result of the evidence submitted.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 18 January 2016



We have not implemented new policies specifically as a result of the call for evidence on park homes. The evidence did support decisions made on the Warm Home Discount where this scheme year we have introduced a pilot scheme to allow eligible park home residents to apply for £140 to help with their energy bills.

Mobile Homes: Energy

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2016 to Question 21401, what her Department's policy is on energy issues affecting park homes.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 18 January 2016



Park home residents are able to benefit from DECC policies aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes and helping with energy bills. This includes the Energy Company Obligation, Green Deal Communities, the Renewable Heat Incentive, the Warm Home Discount and the Central Heating Fund.

Cabinet Office

Future of Advice and Legal Support Commission

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the implications for the Government's policy on the Low Commission's reports, Tackling of the findings of the Advice Deficit, published in 2014, and Getting it Right in Social Welfare Law, published in 2015.

Mr Rob Wilson: Government is supporting, free, independent and social welfare advice, including through the Advice Services Transition Fund (ASTF).The ASTF is supporting the sector to be able to respond with confidence to the challenges presented by the changing funding environment. The ASTF is a transformational fund and, rather than providing running costs, it is designed to support more collaborative and sustainable ways of working.We are working with the Big Lottery Fund to ensure that learning from the fund is identified and shared across the advice services sector.

Government Departments: Billing

Bill Esterson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the number of Government departments which failed to pay outstanding debts to SMEs within the 60 day maximum period set out in the Prompt Payment Code.

Matthew Hancock: Government does not hold this information centrally. When undisputed public sector invoices are not paid within 30 days, interest becomes liable under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.In March 2015 central government restated its longstanding commitment to pay 80% of undisputed and valid invoices in 5 days with the remainder paid in 30 days. To increase transparency through publication, departments are required to publish performance against these targets on a quarterly basis on GOV.UK.

Cabinet Office: Defibrillators

Andrew Percy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many defibrillators are provided in each building his Department manages.

Andrew Percy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many defibrillators are provided in 10 Downing Street.

Matthew Hancock: One defibrillator has been provided in each of three buildings managed by the Cabinet Office. The buildings are: 10 Downing Street; Rosebery Court, Norwich; and Emergency Planning College, York.

Social Investment Outcomes Fund

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the funding criteria will be for the social investment outcomes fund; and whether NHS providers of alcohol and drug addiction services will be able to apply for that funding.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which government department will have responsibility for the management of the social investment outcomes fund.

Mr Rob Wilson: In the spending review the Chancellor announced £80m for a new social outcomes fund to support the creation of locally developed social impact bonds tackling a range of social problems. The Cabinet Office has responsibility for the fund. The detailed criteria for the fund is being developed, but it will provide a portion of outcome payments for locally commissioned social impact bonds where some of the benefits and savings generated fall to central government.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fisheries: Quotas

Mr Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase quota levels for the under-10 metres fishing fleet.

George Eustice: Defra is in the final stages of a permanent quota realignment exercise which will represent a14% uplift in the amount of quota the inshore fleet currently receives.For species subject to the discard ban from January 2016, we have announced that the non-sector pools, which includes fishing vessels under 10 metres, will receive the first 100 tonnes of any quota uplift received and 10% of any remaining uplift. For 2016 this represents more than 1,000 tonnes of uplift to support the non-sector in their adaptation to the landing obligation.The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is currently determining the 2016 monthly catch limits for the inshore fleet in light of the December 2015 Fisheries Council agreement. This quota will be used to maximise the income that can be achieved, while minimising discards for the non-sector fleet. The MMO welcomes views on quota management and utilisation of quota uplift for the non–sector via the MMO coastal quota advisory meetings and monthly quota consultations.

Neonicotinoids: EU Action

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the EU ban on neonicotinoids has been renewed; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: EU restrictions prohibiting the use of three neonicotinoids on some crops have been in place since 1 December 2013. Other uses of these neonicotinoids remain approved. The restrictions have been implemented in full in the UK and will remain in place unless and until the European Commission decides to change them. The Commission has mandated the European Food Safety Authority to carry out a scientific review of the effects of neonicotinoids on pollinators. The UK will participate in that process.

River Ribble

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to make funding available for remedial work on the flood defences on the north bank of the River Ribble, west of Miller Park; and when that remedial work is planned to take place.

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to make funding available for remedial work on the flood defences on the north bank of the River Ribble, east of Miller Park; and when that remedial work is planned to take place.

Rory Stewart: Remedial work on flood defences on the north bank of the River Ribble, to the east of Miller Park, will take place in two phases.Preston City Council started the first phase of temporary repair work on 18 January 2016. The target date for completion is 22 January 2016.The Environment Agency recovery programme will prioritise repair works across Cumbria and Lancashire using a risk based approach. The level of protection offered by flood defence assets will be restored by autumn 2016. This programme will include the second phase of permanent repairs to the flood defences on the north bank of the River Ribble.The Environment Agency is not aware of any damage to flood defences east of Miller Park requiring remedial works.

Department of Health

Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of patients spent more than four hours in A&E departments from decision to admit to admission in each A&E department in London in each month since May 2010.

Jane Ellison: Holding answer received on 11 January 2016



This information is not available in the format requested. The attached table includes data showing the percentage of patients who attended accident and emergency (A&E) and subsequently waited four hours or more to be admitted once a decision to admit them had been taken. These data are given for the following periods:- quarter 1 and Quarter 2 2010/11;- each week between 07 November 2010 and 05 July 2015; and- each month between July 2015 and October 2015.



Patients who attended A&E and waited 4 or more hrs
(Excel SpreadSheet, 241.52 KB)

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average hospital waiting time was for NHS patients in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 2005.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested. Information has been published since August 2007 on the numbers of patients still waiting within 18 weeks and more than 18 weeks to start consultant-led elective treatment at the end of each month. Information has also been published about average median waiting times to start consultant-led elective treatment nationally since August 2007 and locally since April 2009. This is provided in the attached table for National Health Service commissioning organisations and regions which most closely match those requested. Health is a devolved matter in the rest of the United Kingdom.



Consultant-led elective treatment waiting times 
(Word Document, 24.65 KB)

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what proportion of elective operations were cancelled in (a) England and Wales, (b) London and (c) each health trust in England in each year since 2010.

Jane Ellison: Holding answer received on 12 January 2016



Information on cancelled elective operations is published quarterly. The attached table shows how many elective operations were cancelled in England, London and each health trust in England in each quarter since 2010. Information on the number of cancelled elective operations as a percentage of elective admissions is only published for England.The number and proportion of cancelled operations remains low in the context of the millions of operations performed in the National Health Service each year. Compared to 2009/10, in 2014/15 there were 1.6 million more operations. The proportion of cancelled elective operations in the first two quarters of 2015/16 was 0.8% which is the same as the first two quarters of 2009/10.Health is a devolved matter in Wales.



Cancelled elective operations
(Excel SpreadSheet, 49.11 KB)

Hospital Beds: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) acute and (b) non-acute beds there were in each London hospital in each year since 2010.

Jane Ellison: Holding answer received on 13 January 2016



Information on bed availability and occupancy is published every quarter.The attached table shows the average daily number of available (a) general and acute and (b) maternity, mental health and learning disability beds that were open overnight and open day only and under the care of a consultant in London trusts in each quarter since 2010.



Bed availability and occupancy since 2010
(Excel SpreadSheet, 84.39 KB)

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust: Fertility

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust received fertility treatments in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested. The following table shows a count of finished admission episodes¹ with a main operative procedure² relating to fertility treatments³ at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust for 2010-11 to 2014-15.These figures do not include treatments where the patient was not admitted to the hospital.YearFinished admission episodes2010-111762011-121582012-131462013-141882014-15152Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, Health and Social Care Information Centre.Notes:A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.The first recorded procedure or intervention in each episode, usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (eg time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedures.The following OPCS codes were used:The following OPCS-4. 7 codes and categories classify fertility treatments:Q13 Introduction of gametes into uterine cavity;Q38.3 Endoscopic intrafallopian transfer of gametes;The following OPCS-4 category was introduced in the OPCS-4.6 version of the Classification; andQ21 Other introduction of gametes into uterine cavity.Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in National Health Service practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.(HES) include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity ending between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Mr Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to increase awareness of (a) arthritis and (b) other musculoskeletal conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) work in partnership with NHS England, professional bodies, the Chief Fire Officers Association, Arthritis Research UK (ARUK), Work Foundation and other private sector system leaders to increase awareness of the prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.PHE’s Chief Knowledge Directorate have worked collaboratively with ARUK to develop a set of local authority briefings on osteoarthritis based on data from ARUK’s MSK Calculator[1]. A musculoskeletal domain has also been created within PHE’s National General Practice Profiles[2]. The Burden of Disease for England was published by PHE in September 2015, which provides analytics on MSK.PHE has commissioned and developed a series of resources and tools to raise awareness amongst professionals and the public of Arthritis and MSK conditions such as; a British Medical Journal e-learning module on the benefits of physical activity for osteoarthritis and lower back pain, which has been highly valued by clinicians; a public facing falls prevention booklet.[1]http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/policy-and-public-affairs/policy-priorities-and-projects/musculosketal-health-services/the-musculoskeletal-calculator.aspx[2]http://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/general-practice/data#mod,1,pyr,2014,pat,19,par,E38000001,are,-,sid1,2000009,ind1,-,sid2,-,ind2,-

Diabetes

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Royal College of Nursing on steps to reduce the fat intake of people with diabetes.

Jane Ellison: There have been no such recent discussions.

Incontinence

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were diagnosed with incontinence in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: Below are the counts of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of urinary incontinence and faecal incontinence, for the years 2010-11 to 2014-15.Activity in English National Health Service Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sectorYearUrinary IncontinenceFaecal Incontinence2010-1127,7974,9732011-1226,7515,2002012-1324,9385,7682013-1423,4985,7532014-1520,9695,774Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, Health and Social Care Information CentreThese data only include diagnoses of incontinence where there was an admission to hospital. There is likely to be other cases where the condition was diagnosed in a primary care setting.Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.

Blood: Screening

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to provide paramedics with on-the-spot blood diagnostic devices for the detection of medical conditions.

Jane Ellison: The provision of medical equipment for front-line ambulance service staff falls within the responsibility of individual ambulance trusts. Paramedics already do have access to, and routinely carry, some blood-testing devices for example, to check for blood sugar.

Lung Cancer: Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the negative interim NICE Appraisal Committee Decision on nivolumab for squamous non-small cell lung cancer on patients.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will request that NICE work with the manufacturers of nivolumab to ensure patients with lung cancer can access that medicine at the earliest opportunity.

George Freeman: No such assessment has been made. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising nivolumab (Opdivo) for squamous non-small cell lung cancer and has not yet issued its final guidance.In developing its technology appraisal guidance, NICE works closely with stakeholders, including manufacturers. NICE’s consultation on its draft guidance closed on 19 January 2016.In the absence of NICE guidance, it is for commissioners to make funding decisions based on the available evidence.

Lung Cancer: Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients are receiving nivolumab for locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer in (a) England and (b) Strangford; and when NICE plans to complete its appraisal of that drug.

George Freeman: NHS England has advised that it understands that the manufacturer of nivolumab (Opdivo), Bristol-Myers Squibb, received 73 registrations for nivolumab for locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer through the Early Access to Medicines Scheme before the scientific opinion expired in July 2015. A geographical breakdown of this figure is not available.NHS England does not currently fund nivolumab for metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer and has advised that its funding position will be determined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s final technology appraisal guidance which is expected in May 2016. Further information is available at:www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-tag506

Pharmacy: Negligence

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce errors in the dispensing of aseptic pharmaceutical products.

George Freeman: The manufacturing process for aseptic pharmaceutical products by licensed Specials manufacturers is subject to Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Pharmacovigilance Practice – both of which are monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.Aseptic compounding in pharmacies and health clinics under the section 10 exemption of the Medicines Act 1968 is carried out under the supervision of a pharmacist and is subject to periodic audits by National Health Service quality assurance pharmacists.

Pharmacy: Negligence

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the level of aseptic pharmaceutical medication error within the NHS.

George Freeman: Neither the Department nor NHS England has made any such assessment.

Pharmacy

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has a policy on standardising the dose branding of aseptic pharmaceutical products across all health trusts.

George Freeman: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is working with other groups to promote the risk-reducing benefits of dose banding.NHS England, through its Medicines Optimisation Clinical Reference Group work programme, is working with key stakeholders to identify/agree national standard dose bands for chemotherapy. A national Commissioning for Quality and Innovation goal has been agreed to support the implementation of the dose bands during 2017-18.

Pharmacy: Negligence

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential role of technology in reducing aseptic pharmaceutical medication error.

George Freeman: Where appropriate, automation has a role to play in ensuring consistent output from aseptic compounding and increased production capacity. It may also provide additional protection against microbiological contamination by use of ‘closed systems’ of manufacture.Licensed specials manufacturers may consider automation as an appropriate solution for their product range and capacity. In these cases, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency inspections assess whether the process design, validation, personnel, training and procedures relating to the automated system comply with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice.

HIV Infection: Medical Treatments

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis will be made available on the NHS to men who have sex with men.

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people in England accessing HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis through private provision.

Jane Ellison: NHS England is working with local authorities, clinicians, patient representatives and Public Health England to consider the clinical and cost effectiveness of providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to at-risk groups to prevent them acquiring HIV. The PrEP clinical policy proposition is one of many going through NHS England’s 2016/17 prioritisation round.In July 2015 NHS England approved a significant new investment in a ‘Treatment as Prevention’ programme to help reduce transmissions from persons known to be HIV positive.We have made no estimates of the number of people accessing PrEP through private provision.

Health Services

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the status is of Operational Resilience Capacity Planning for 2014-15; and what the status is of the retained funding for flu vaccinations for clinicians in the independent sector.

Jane Ellison: In April 2015, NHS England advised System Resilience Groups that all resilience initiatives started in response to the 2014-15 document should continue, and were also informed of new resilience planning priorities for the coming year. A copy of the letter is attached.For this year, funding was given to NHS Employers to support flu vaccination communications aimed at staff working in care homes, and to work with National Health Service trusts with low staff vaccination uptake by providing support networks and events.



Letter
(PDF Document, 143.93 KB)




NHS England Publications Gateway Reference
(Excel SpreadSheet, 35.44 KB)

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent steps his Department has taken to increase awareness of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Jane Ellison: One of the main symptoms of pulmonary aterial hypertension (PAH) is shortness of breath. An awareness campaign focusing on the symptoms of breathlessness to support earlier diagnosis of related conditions was piloted by Public Health England in early 2015. The results of the regional phase of the campaign are currently being evaluated.Furthermore, the NHS England PAH centres provide a continuing education programme at both postgraduate and undergraduate levels to educate doctors about this rare condition and the national Clinical Reference Group works closely with the PAH Patients Association to increase public awareness.

Veterans: Mental Health Services

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of his Department's planned £8.4 million expenditure on armed forces veterans' mental health services will be spent in Scotland in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2017-18, (d) 2018-19 and (e) 2019-20; and in which areas of mental health services that funding will be spent in each of those years.

Alistair Burt: The funding and provision of healthcare in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government. The additional £8.4 million announced in the 2015 Budget will be used by the National Health Service across England to enhance mental health and support services for vulnerable veterans.

Pharmacy

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to protect community pharmacies in areas of social deprivation.

Alistair Burt: Section 126 of the 2006 Act places an obligation on NHS England to put arrangements in place so that drugs, medicines and listed appliances ordered via National Health Service prescriptions can be supplied to persons. Each local authority Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) must in accordance with regulations assess needs for pharmaceutical services in its area (a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA)). When developing the PNA, HWBs must consider the demography of its area, including whether there are areas of social deprivation as well as the pharmaceutical services provided within its area and the area of any other neighbouring HWB. It then publishes the assessment, which outlines the adequacy of provision in such areas and, where relevant, gaps in provision. NHS England uses the PNA to plan pharmaceutical services and to assess applications from persons for inclusion on a pharmaceutical list.In an open letter to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) on 17 December 2015, the Government invited the PSNC to enter discussions with the Department, supported by NHS England, on changes to the community pharmacy contractual framework for 2016/17 and beyond, linked to the Spending Review. As part of the consultation, the Department is consulting on the introduction of a Pharmacy Access Scheme, which will provide more NHS funds to certain pharmacies compared to others, considering factors such as location and the health needs of the local population.

Asthma: Medical Equipment

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much NHS England received in charges for prescriptions of inhalers for people with asthma in each of the last three years.

Alistair Burt: Information is not available on the number of people prescribed medicines or the medical condition treated. Information is provided based on inhalers used to treat respiratory conditions, as defined by British National Formulary Sections 3.1 Bronchodilators, 3.2 Corticosteroids, 3.3.1 Cromoglicate and related therapy and 3.7 Mucolytics.Income received by NHS England from prescription items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in England, for inhalers used to treat respiratory conditions, charged at the point of dispensing and submitted to the National Health Service Prescription Services. 1, 2YearValue of prescription charges (£000’s)201231,732.1201331,428.5201433,991.6Source: NHS Business Services Authority Information SystemsNotes:1 Items dispensed to patients holding a pre-payment certificate are not included.2 The data includes prescription charges paid which may then be refunded via a prescription refund form (FP57).

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will add pulmonary arterial hypertension to the conditions which are exempt from prescription charges.

Alistair Burt: There are no plans to change the list of medical conditions which provide exemption from prescription charges.Other extensive exemption arrangements are in place, in England, including those based on low income, which support those who cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions. For those who need multiple prescriptions and do not qualify for exemption, Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC) can be purchased, which allow someone to claim as many prescriptions as needed. A 12 month PPC costs £104 and benefits anyone who needs 13 or more prescriptions a year.

Mental Health Services: Northern Ireland

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Prime Minister's announcement of 11 January 2016, whether Northern Ireland will receive additional funding for mental health care as a result of the Barnett consequentials of the changes to funding set out in that announcement.

Alistair Burt: The additional funding referred to in the Prime Minister’s announcement of 11 January 2016 is part of the Department’s overall Spending Review settlement, as announced in the Autumn Statement on 25 November 2015.The Spending Review also set out the block grant allocations for the Devolved Administrations in line with the application of the Barnett Formula to United Kingdom Government spending.The actual allocation of public expenditure between the services under the control of the devolved administrations, including health, is for the devolved administrations to determine.

Skin Cancer

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve prevention and diagnosis of (a) skin cancer and (b) melanoma.

Jane Ellison: A number of voluntary and statutory organisations deliver health protection advice to the public about ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This includes NHS Choices at:http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Sunsafe.aspxPublic Health England provides information to increase awareness of the public health risks of excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun, and to encourage people at home and abroad (Mediterranean countries) to protect themselves as necessary. Since sunburn is a risk factor for skin cancer, messages are issued to warn when the United Kingdom solar UV Index values are higher than expected.In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on ‘Skin Cancer Prevention’ in January 2011. The guidance will be partially updated within the development of new guidance on ‘Sun Exposure: benefits and risks’ due to be published by NICE in February 2016.In June 2015, NICE published new cancer referral guideline for general practitioners (GPs), including guidance for GPs on investigating patients with signs suggestive of skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma). The guideline will continue to support GPs to identify patients with signs and symptoms of suspected cancer, including skin cancer and urgently refer them as appropriate.NICE is currently developing a quality standard which will cover prevention, assessment, diagnosis and management of skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma) in children, young people and adults. The anticipated publication date for this quality standard is August 2016.

Dermatology: General Practitioners

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve GP education on skin cancer and dermatology.

Jane Ellison: In 2011, the Department of Health funded Cancer Research UK to work in partnership with the British Association of Dermatologists, to develop a Skin Cancer Toolkit for general practitioners (GPs). The toolkit was launched in 2012 and is currently available to GPs via doctors.net.In June 2015, the National Institute for Care Excellence published new cancer referral guideline for GPs, including guidance for GPs on investigating patients with signs suggestive of skin cancer. The guideline will continue to support GPs to identify patients with signs and symptoms of suspected cancer, including skin cancer and urgently refer them as appropriate. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in collaboration with Cancer Research UK has worked on a programme of regional update events for GPs to enable GPs to adopt the new guidelines.More generally, it is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC) to set the standards and outcomes for the education and training of doctors and to approve training curricula to ensure newly qualified doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide high quality patient care.The royal colleges, for example the RCGP have responsibility for developing curricula for doctors, in particular postgraduate curricula. Health Education England will work with bodies that set curricula such as the GMC and the RCGP to seek to ensure general practice training meets the needs of patients.

Employment Schemes: Mental Illness

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve the back-to-work support which is available for people with mental health problems.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding his Department has made available for back-to-work support for people with mental health problems in each of the last five years.

Alistair Burt: We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and other government departments through the Work and Health Unit. Over the next three years the Work and Health Unit are investing over £43 million in a range of voluntary mental health and employment trials to test what works in improving both the employment and health outcomes for people with common mental health problems. The Work and Health Unit will also invest around £115 million in testing wider support to improve health and employment outcomes. Additionally, The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme has already helped over 100,000 people to move off sick pay and benefits, with nearly 25,000 moving off in 2014/15.In each of the last five years the Department of Health has not provided specific central programme funding for back-to-work support for people with mental health problems.